What is FLAIR signal hyperintensity

[Ked5001]

After experiencing some minor numbness on my left side, I had 2 MRI on my head and brain.  The report I received says, in part:

"Several sulci of T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity within the white matter of both cerebral hemispheres"  "Primary diferential considerations include sequela of chronic small-vessel ischemic disease.  No evidence of acute infarction."

My Intenet searches have turned up a plethora of discussions of FLAIR hyperintensity in connection with conditions that range from Lyme disease to MS, but I haven't found a specific explanation of T2, FLAIR, or hyperintensity as they apply in this context.

Can you give me a fairly complete explanation of the terms and the significance of the phrase "sulci of T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity within the white matter" as well as any other insight into what this finding implies?

[veronica37]

Hello,

I am a 37 year old woman and I had an MRI done about a week ago. I was refer to the Neurologist. My MRI results were several punctate foci of T2 and flair signal hyperintensity within the subcortical white matter of the frontal lobes. Primary differential considerations include sequela of previous infection or trauma, sequela migraine headaches or sequela of minimal chronic small vessel ischemic. I never suffer from headaches I am a bit concern because i been having muscle aches and it is difficult to walk, dizziness and some blurry vision, lossing concentration and memory problems. My doctor explained me but I did not understand very well

[SarahL2491]

Flair is an active lesion or something else that appears brighter when undergoing an mri with contrast.

[GylinF]

Single focus of FLAIR hyperintensity in the left frontal subcortical white matter is nonspecific. The diffusion weighted images demonstrate no evidence of acute infarct. No abnormal enhancement is noted. Tiny left frontal developmental venous
anomaly is incidentally noted.

[cjtmn]

Hi,

I encourage you to start a new thread so that your questions don't get missed. There are some really knowledgeable people here who can provide a perspective for you. My guess from the language is that the radiologists feels migraines or no real cause is the most likely; however, a neurologist needs to interpret the MRI for any diagnosis. Hopefully you have a follow up soon.

Cheryl

[KrisKen25]

Hello, I just got my MRI results back... I'm 31 year old female. I do suffer from BAD migraine headaches and I also had encephalitis. I also have some blurred vision from time to time... I was actually in a car accident and that was the reason for the MRI. However, It says , "There are a view punctuate foci of FLAIR hyperintensity seen within the cerebral white matter in the frontal lobes and right parietal region. There are nonspecific and could be migrainous."

What could this result mean? MS? Lyme? Something else???

[KrisKen25]

Hello, I just got my MRI results back... I'm 31 year old female. I do suffer from BAD migraine headaches and I also had encephalitis. I also have some blurred vision from time to time... I was actually in a car accident and that was the reason for the MRI. However, It says , "There are a view punctuate foci of FLAIR hyperintensity seen within the cerebral white matter in the frontal lobes and right parietal region. There are nonspecific and could be migrainous."

What could this result mean? MS? Lyme? Something else???

[Kimbo96]

I have Chronic Lyme disease.

[kwarendorf]

Hi dee -  Welcome to the group.

We are not doctors. We are just folks living with MS, or are in the process of determining if they have MS.

In my non doctor opinion, any abnormal finding is worthy of further investigation, if not concern. Hyperintensities are abnormal findings, but habe many causes and can be harmless. Your best bet is to discuss these findings with the doctor that ordered the MRI.

Kyle

[dee12345678]

After 3-4 mounts of daily headache we did a MRI of my 12 years old . They found these single T2 FLAIR focal hyperintensities frontal and in corpus calosum. Please can you comment of these, are they showing something of concern.

[amanda214106]

Are T2 FLAIR white matter hyperintensities considered a sign of MS?  Are they lesions even before they turn to hypointensities?  My daughter has these.  Plus CSF O-bands.  She's 8.

[birdmom9925]

Can someone please explain this to me?  All my doctor's office would tell me was that my results are "fairly normal"  I have been dealing with autoimmune issues, so naturally MS in on my mind.  I am looking for a doctor (neuro and/or rheum) to possibly get a second opinion.

Findings:  minimal punctate FLAIR hyperintensity in the corona, radiate, left pareital and right frontal subcortical regions, are nonspecific and likely of no clinical consequence.  Indication of papilledema

[kwarendorf]

Hi Busteretta -  Welcome to the group.

T2/FLAIR is a type of MRI, rather than a specific finding. if you're reading a radiology report, does it have an "Impressions" section?

As to MS and car accidents, MS is not caused by any kind of trauma.

Kyle

[Busteretta]

Can a car accident resulting in severe whip lash be a cause for T2 flair

[piasano]

My MRI read :

There are bilateral scattered subcortical white matter FLAIR hyperintensity, nonspecific finding, could be the sequela of chronic small vessel ischemic disease.

Polypoidal mucosal thickening noted within the bilateral maxillary sinuses.

Would you have any idea what they are talking about?

[piasano]

These are all my issues,

Health Issue

Date Noted

Vertigo    
Malignant neoplasm of salivary gland 06/25/2012  
Seizures 06/25/2012  
Facial paralysis 06/25/2012  
Hearing loss 06/25/2012  
Chronic headaches 06/25/2012  
Thalassemia 06/25/2012  
Fibromyalgia 06/25/2012  
Vestibular hypofunction 06/25/2012  
Squamous cell carcinoma of parotid 02/10/2014  

[kwarendorf]

Hi Sufin - Welcome to our group.

We're not doctors, just folks with MS. The interpretation of radiology reports is best done by your doctor.

Kyle

[Sufin]

My MRI report say that
1. small nodular T1 & T2 hyper intense lesion in the sellar region abutting pituitary glang.? Pitutary Microadenoma.
2. Few tiny T2 & Flair hyperintense areas in bilateral frontal white matter non specific demyelination.
what is the meaning of all these?
  

[Sufin]

My MRI report say that
1. small nodular T1 & T2 hyper intense lesion in the sellar region abutting pituitary glang.? Pitutary Microadenoma.
2. Few tiny T2 & Flair hyperintense areas in bilateral frontal white matter non specific demyelination.
what is the meaning of all these?
  
***@****

[supermum_ms]

You have posted your question in the Multiple Sclerosis community, I suggest you post this question about your grandmother's MRI in the neurology forum, where you may find a broader understanding but please keep in mind as immisceo pointed out, it would be best to discuss this with your grandmother's doctors.

Cheers..........JJ

[pradeepk828]

okay, can i get some support..

[immisceo]

This is a patient support forum. We are not doctors here. This would be best discussed with her medical team.

[pradeepk828]

MRI Impression - 2014 Aug
- mild degree of cerebral atrophy
-T1 hypointense, T2 Flair hyperintense foci in white matter of fronto
parietal lobes, periventricular region of both cerebral hemisphere -
Small Ischemic Changes.
T1, FLAIR, T2 hyperintense lesion in posterior part of left putamen-
lacunar infarct
- MRA - moderate degree of focal narrowing of M2 segment of left
middle cerebral artery
-Lacunar infarct in pons
-Attenuation of caliber of v4 segment of both vertebral arteries,
distal part of basilar artery and both posterior artery- Due to
atherosclerosis?

[immisceo]

Roughly, it means that during the T2/FLAIR sequence of the MRI in question, both sides of the... (and here I'm going to guess that if you're here asking about a brain MRI there's a typo involved) parietal part of the brain. Periatrial would be a part of the heart.

This can be caused by a number of things. MS is just one and also less likely than things like migraines, smoking, diabetes, etc., though these will often be further described as ischemic changes. Only your doctors can really elucidate the data for you. We're just patients here.

Usually on the report there will be a section labelled 'Impressions' where the radiologist will hazard a guess as to reasons for the finding. This is not equivalent to a diagnosis, rather a bit of short-hand for the treating neurologist if the images are available to them.

[Widalis]

Please advise had and MRI done and it shows "There is patchy increased T2/FLAIR signal
    abnormality within the periatrial regions bilaterally" what does this mean